Weekly Wellness: Preventing and managing Type 2 diabetes

From steamboatpilot.com

If you have Type 2 diabetes or are worried about developing it, there are steps you can take to manage the condition and be proactive about preventing it.

“There are a lot of tools in our tool kit,” said Margo Boatner, a certified physician assistant with UCHealth Endocrinology Clinics in Steamboat and Craig. “There are things in your control like your diet and lifestyle if you are worried about prediabetes or have a family history of it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1 in 6 Americans have diabetes, with the majority of those individuals having Type 2 diabetes. But new ways to manage the disease means more effective ways to live a healthier life. 

“If you have Type 2 diabetes, there are new medications that are very effective and safe to help you get your blood sugar level under control and help to prevent diabetes-related complications such as heart disease, kidney disease and certain degenerative eye conditions,” said Boatner.

What is Type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels that gradually worsen.

In the body, it means insulin production has decreased while insulin resistance has increased, which results in uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Over time, chronic blood sugar levels that are too high can damage the kidneys, eyes, heart, nerves and blood vessels.

What can cause Type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with family history, being overweight or obese, and/or being from certain ethnic backgrounds that are predisposed to the chronic disease.

While there is a tendency to blame a person’s diet for causing Type 2 diabetes, Boatner said that is just one of many factors that can contribute to the development of the disease.

“Diet is just one piece of the puzzle,” she said. “Healthy eating can be a challenge due to affordability, access to healthy food and the prevalence of heavily processed foods in our society. Genetics and lifestyle are other factors.”

How do you know if you have type 2 diabetes? What are the symptoms?

According to Boatner, people with Type 2 diabetes can be asymptomatic and go undiagnosed for years.

“People can think they are healthy and if they don’t see their doctor or have an annual screening, they might not know they have it,” she said.

However, once blood sugar levels hit a tipping point at about 300 milligrams per decilitre, individuals will likely begin to experience increased thirst, extreme hunger, visual disturbances, frequent urination, weight loss and fatigue.

“This is why it’s important to have annual physicals and blood work to screen for Type 2 diabetes beginning at 35, especially if you have a family history or other risk factors,” said Boatner.

How do you test for Type 2 diabetes?

There are three main blood tests to check for Type 2 diabetes.

• An A1C test measures the last three months of a person’s blood sugar levels.
• A fasting plasma glucose test measures blood sugar after at least eight hours of fasting.
• The oral glucose test measures blood sugar before and after drinking a glucose-containing liquid.

How can you prevent Type 2 diabetes if you have a family history or are in a ‘prediabetes’ stage?

At a prediabetes stage, you can make lifestyle changes to slow the progression of Type 2 diabetes. That includes adopting habits such as exercise, good nutrition and weight management, while possibly incorporating medication under the guidance of your provider.

“There are certain things within our control like our behavior around food and exercise, and there are some not within our control, like genetics and ethnic background and your metabolism,” said Boatner.

What about medications such as Ozempic or Mounjaro?

Managing diabetes can include the use of medications including semaglutides like Ozempic or tirzepatides like Mounjaro that are administered via weekly injections.

The medications work by mimicking a natural gut hormone in the body to stimulate insulin production, which in turn, lowers blood sugar levels. In addition, the medications slow the gastric system from emptying, so you feel fuller for longer periods. They decrease appetite as well.

“For the right person, these drugs are definitely reshaping how we are treating Type 2 diabetes,” she said.

Benefits of the medications include weight loss, regulated sugar levels, and a decrease or sometimes elimination of daily insulin shots. Cons are their costs, and the necessity to take them indefinitely as their benefits cease once a patient stops taking them. Most common side effects include nausea, heartburn and constipation, although these often improve with time.

“We start with a low dose to lessen the side effects,” said Boatner, “and then gradually increase the dose after four to six weeks.”

Talk with your provider when making decisions about your health

Boatner said it is important for patients to talk with their provider about treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Each patient should have an individualized plan that meets health needs while keeping goals in mind.

“There are factors you can control to help you lead your healthiest life with a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes,” said Boatner. “We’re lucky we have new choices and effective glucose-lowering medications on the market to support patients.”

https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/weekly-wellness-preventing-and-managing-type-2-diabetes/